At least one person is in custody after the Springfield Police Department executed searched warrants at two local businesses in recent weeks where illegal gambling activities were claimed to be taking place.
On Friday, Sept.13, Springfield PD conducted a search warrant at Park Circle Market, located at 1616 Memorial Blvd. The search came as part of an investigation which was triggered following a complaint regarding allegations of illegal gambling at the market.
According to city officials, an employee at Park Circle Market was arrested and charged with a misdemeanor of gambling promotion. Based on inmate details from the Robertson County Sheriff’s Office, Narendrakumar Hirabhai Prajapati was booked into the detention facility on Sept. 13 on a $15,000 bond. He is set to appear in Robertson County General Sessions Court on Oct. 1.
Four days later on Tuesday, Sept. 17, Springfield PD executed a second search warrant at another business, Smoke & Vape, located at 1220 5th. Ave. W. According to a release from the city of Springfield, the warrant followed a complaint about alleged illegal gambling inside the business, which led to the investigation.
As with the Park Circle search, Springfield police officers removed several machines during their search at Smoke & Vape. An employee at Smoke & Vape was cited and charged with the misdemeanor crime of Gambling Promotion, according to the release. The individual’s identity has not been named at this time.
The investigation remains ongoing as police continue to address the allegations.